His motive

(Hazel POV)

Our journey began. It has been a while at that too. We gained new members. Expanded our reach and became better than our previous selves. I can clearly remember the first day I met my master.

Clive was his name. He was an oddball. He was the only human left on our home planet. But he did not despair. He merrily wandered around with me in tow. I joined him in his adventures and became the first one of his party.

And we increased in number. Two became four and then five and then nine. That's how it began.

I was content with how everything was. I did not try to make anything too complicated. However my master was a man who did the opposite of what he said.

He said that he wanted peace. I was fine with a peaceful life. But he plunged the entire world into chaos. He fought everyone head on and won. He triumphed over an army which outnumbered him. Astronomically so.

I was worried. Not just me. His family was worried. He cared for everyone in his party like any family member would. To him, his party was his family.

So, share your burden with your family a little bit. He did not understand the meaning of that sentence. Never did he share his burdens with us. Worse, he took on our burdens on him.

Everyone was dissatisfied with this. We traveled together for millennia. And we separated.

Not us, he separated from us. He left us and disappeared. He disappeared without a trace.

His contract with his spirits was broken. He severed our ties and disappeared. Everyone thought that it was a temporary thing. But days, weeks, months and even years went by.

He was nowhere to be found. We panicked. We searched everywhere. Every planet we had been to. Every acquaintance alive. We searched the entire universe.

But he was missing. Everyone gathered at one place. We agreed on splitting up to search for him. If someone finds him, they will let the others know.

By the way, we did contact that mysterious person who called herself his mentor. Her name, I won't mention it. She said that even she has no idea.

Where did he go? It has been 10 thousand years since he disappeared. It's a long time but for beings like us who have transcended time, it's just a blink of an eye.

I came back empty handed again. We spread out to different universes now. I have thoroughly searched 3 universes. But we need to find him.

His wishful thinking gave us a lot of troubles. He deserves a piece of our mind nonetheless.

(Hazel, did you have any luck?)

"It's System. No, not a sign again."

(How about you give up?)

"Never. I need answers from master himself. If he is tired of us or bored of us then we need to give him a proper response as well, don't we?"

(How scary!! Then how about you do something basic?)

"What is that basic?"

(You still haven't gone to milky-way, have you?)

"No. Why would I go there? That place is probably the last place master will ever be in."

(And that's why he might be there. Have you ever considered it?)

Our conversation ended there. She did make a point though. Master does what no one normally expects.

So, it's worth a shot. I teleport directly to earth. I still remember the days I spent with master on earth. I was his first companion after all. We spent some time alone. But that was when I was still a dog.

After my evolution, we were not alone. Eden and Fay were there. Soon Aura joined. Aegis and Aera got their human bodies as well.

I never complained to master about not being alone. But I would have liked to be alone for a bit longer.

The teleport took a while. Because I was a sizable distance away from there. When I opened my eyes, I found something very peculiar.

There are humans on earth. Although they are not advanced, they certainly are humans. I am atop a steep mountain. The cliff faces an open space below where I can see humans.

Judging from their appearance, they are in early stages of development. I mean, they do know how to make fire and hunt and craft weapons but building complex things still aren't their strong suite.

I try to search for master using mana. I found one match. It doesn't match master. It didn't even return. I sent mana like waves. Some returned while some didn't.

It's a broken ripple. I mark the space where it didn't return from. It's about 20 kilometres from here. I fly towards that.

I have a strong feeling that it is what I think it is. When I arrive at the scene, I find a log cabin. A cabin made of logs is standing. The chimney is spewing smoke. Someone is in there.

I land and walk towards the door. I knock twice on the door.

"Who is it?"

A hoarse voice answered. What should I reply?

"Is this Mr. Clive's house?"

I just asked. I did see humans but judging from their appearance and living conditions, they are not nearly civilized enough to speak like this and make cabins of log.

The door opened. A little girl with frosty hair opened the door. Was that her voice? No. I see a man. He is sitting beside the fireplace on a rocking chair. His hair is gray. His skin has lost its youth. His stature is broken. But I know him.

"Master, I have come for you."

I say as I enter the cabin. The little girl closed the door and sat on another chair in front of him.

I want to ask how did master age? For us, aging is impossible. But master looks like he is already in his 70's.

"It has been a while, Hazel. Come, take a seat." (Master)

Another chair appeared. I take the seat.

"It has probably been about 10 thousand years. Time sure flew by. How is everyone?" (Master)

"We are all searching for you. I have already sent them the message. They are all coming here."

I didn't waste a single moment. When I confirmed it was master, the message was sent to everyone. They are all coming here as soon as they can.

"That's good. Look Aylin, we are not alone anymore." (Master)

Master patted the little girl. How to say, she kinda looks like master.

"But grandpa, who is she?"

She called him grandpa! That's weird!!

"She is Hazel. She is or was a member of my family." (Master)

He said that so casually that it was scary. Was? When did I ever say that I wasn't? I am confused.

"You are confused, aren't you Hazel?" (Master)

"Yes. What do you imply by that WAS?"

"Aren't you married?" (Masato)

I am stunned. What did he say?

"How did you think that I am married?"

"You still haven't married anyone. That's such a waste. I thought if I remove myself, you would probably get married. It seems that didn't happen." (Master)

Master seems disappointed. What was he saying? He removed himself!

"But what can we do now? Let everyone come. At least, they can join me in my last moments." (Master)

His voice did reach my ears. I did hear what he said. However my brain refuses to accept it. I feel like I am having a nightmare. Is that really a nightmare?